Six off-season issues facing league

6 Images

The grand final has come and gone but many off-season issues continue to roll on. League writer Brad Walter provides an insight into six of the biggest.

2 October 2012 — 11:53pm

1/6

1. APPOINTING A CEO TO RUN THE GAME: The Herald has been told that the ARL Commission hopes to make an announcement next month but after missing their man last time they are prepared to wait for the right candidate as interim boss Shane Mattiske is doing a good job. However, the longer a decision is delayed, the more likely it may become that they discover the best person for the role is Mattiske.Photo: Tamara Voninski

2/6

2. SETTING THE SALARY CAP: A host of big names coming off contract are unable to finalise their futures as it has not yet been decided how much the salary cap will increase by in coming years. With the new broadcast deal worth almost triple the previous one, clubs and players expect a big rise in the salary cap from 2014 onwards ? but most are reluctant to commit until the exact amount has been determined. Clubs are pushing for a $6.6 million grant next year to cover a salary cap of $5 million, plus allowances.Photo: Brendan Esposito

3/6

2. SETTING THE SALARY CAP: A host of big names coming off contract are unable to finalise their futures as it has not yet been decided how much the salary cap will increase by in coming years. With the new broadcast deal worth almost triple the previous one, clubs and players expect a big rise in the salary cap from 2014 onwards ? but most are reluctant to commit until the exact amount has been determined. Clubs are pushing for a $6.6 million grant next year to cover a salary cap of $5 million, plus allowances.
Photo: Steve Holland

4/6

4. NAMING RIGHTS AND MEDIA DEALS: Telstra is keen to remain as major sponsor of the NRL and retain the online rights but there are whispers that the telco may miss out on both as they will be sold separately. The present deal is worth $90 million over six years for naming rights to the premiership and internet and mobile rights, but after Telstra paid $153million over five years for the AFL online rights, the ARLC obviously expects a lot more this time. There is also the New Zealand television rights. Photo: Sylvia Liber

Advertisement

5/6

5. REFEREEING: Match officials have never been under more scrutiny than this year and the results of a review into refereeing is likely to decide the fate of NRL referees bosses Bill Harrigan, left, and Stuart Raper. A number of other issues will also be debated, such as the role of the video referee, interpretations given to match officials to rule on obstructions and even whether the NRL should revert to just one whistleblower controlling games. Expect the captain?s challenge to be trialled further during the pre-season.Photo: Dallas Kilponen

6/6

6. CHANNEL NINE?S PLIGHT: The ARL Commission was aware of Channel Nine?s financial problems before it finalised the new $1.025 billion television deal and asked the network to pay $90million up front to cover any shortfalls. That money will be received before a ball is kicked next season. If Nine collapses or cannot meet its financial obligations to the code, the advance payments will ensure the ARLC is not out of pocket and in a desperate state as it negotiates with other broadcasters to take over the rights. Photo: Getty Images